Barcelona pay for sluggish start against Getafe as first half produced unwanted stat

La Liga leaders Barcelona missed out on the chance to re-establish their nine-point cushion at the top as Ernesto Valverde’s unbeaten side were held to a 0-0 home draw with Getafe.

Luis Suarez had a goal correctly ruled out for offside, with Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita then denying the ex-Liverpool striker again in stoppage time.

The Catalans ultimately paid for a sluggish start to the game, one in which they failed to threaten Getafe’s goal in the opening 45 minutes.

Barca were unable to register a single shot on target in the opening half of a La Liga game at Camp Nou for the first time in six years, while they failed to score at home in the league for the first time since November 2016.

0 - Barcelona failed to have a shot on target in a La Liga home game in the first half for the first time since April 21st 2012 vs Real Madrid. Blank. pic.twitter.com/viSDJ61aN6

Though Valverde’s men remain unbeaten in the division this term, they have now dropped points in successive games and have seen their advantage to second-placed Atletico Madrid trimmed from 11 points to seven.

The first Colombian to wear a Barcelona shirt had plenty of time on the ball with which to impress in a game that saw Getafe predictably pegged back.

Encouragingly, Mina seemed to want the ball at every opportunity and almost operated as an extra right-sided midfielder at times – though his early no-look pass was ill-advised.

He was a danger from set-pieces and fired one headed chance straight at keeper Vicente Guaita and flicked the other just past the far post.

Was nearly flummoxed by Angel in a one-on-one in the first half, but recovered well.

The Colombian had an impact in both boxes.

KEY MOMENTS

13th minute LOSES POSSESSION – There’s confidence, and then there’s trying an outrageous pass as the last line of defence. His no-look effort ended up at the foot of a Getafe player, proving that despite his neat touches and composure, he’s very much the rough diamond that Ernesto Valverde needs to develop.

39th minute ONE-ON-ONE – The best and the worst of Mina in one action. Loses concentration as Angel springs the offside trap. Gets turned this way and that but nevertheless just about hangs on to Angel using his pace, and his last-ditch block deflects the ball for a corner.

61st minute KEY INTERVENTION – This time shows that he has keen awareness skills when he remains focused. The left flank was not his sector of defence but with Digne beaten, scrambles across just in time to stop Angel from rounding Ter Stegen and shepherds ball out of play.

73rd minute CHANCE – Mina had already shown he is proficient in the air with some fine headed clearance. From a free-kick out on the right-hand side, leaps up and connects with a powerful header, but can only find Guaita’s gloves.

75th minute CHANCE – At this point it’s of no surprise to learn that the South American scored six goals in 28 games with Palmeiras in Brazil – Barca’s very own Sergio Ramos? From a corner this time, shows deftness to angle his header downwards and to the left but goes just past the post.

GOT RIGHT:

Colombian courage: Barcelona is no place for a shrinking violet and Mina sought responsibility at every opportunity. Though Barca’s attackers had a bad day at the office, Mina will clearly be a great outlet going forward with his head and his feet.

Up for the challenge: Mina’s lanky frame could afford to pack a bit more muscle but he does not shirk the physical side of defending. Cleared Barca lines with some thunderous headers, though earned a yellow card for over-exuberance at the end.

GOT WRONG:

Clumsiness: He’s lacking polish – no surprise for a player taking a big step up. Mina is effective but not elegant with the ball, and can get himself into trouble with occasional poor decision-making. At this point you wouldn’t throw him into a Champions League tie. This was the right test to throw him into.

VERDICT: Barca may just have found a bargain in Mina, who was plucked from Palmeiras for a touch under €12 million. Has the raw physical tools to be a success and also something that you can’t teach – mental strength.

There’ll be problems if he starts against top-class opposition too soon in his career so a little patience is required. The signs are that it would pay off.

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Barcelona player ratings as Yerry Mina gets 7 on first start but Luis Suarez disappoints

Barcelona endured a rare off day as they drew a blank in a 0-0 stalemate with Getafe at the Nou Camp.

The visitors stood firm to take an unlikely point away from Catalonia, having become the first side to prevent Barcelona from mustering a shot on target at home in the first half since Real Madrid in April 2012.

The gap is down to seven points at the top of La Liga after second-placed Atletico Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Malaga. It’s not over yet…

Some of the ratings are not pretty for Barca’s attacking players but there was, at least, a clean sheet for Yerry Mina on his first start.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Dangerously strayed off his line at one point in the second half but Shibasaki shot high and wide. Had a watching brief for much of the match. 6

Sergi Roberto – Very little penetration came down the right flank, although he did not have much support except for Mina’s forays, and until Ousmane Dembele came on. Solid enough defensively. 6

Yerry Mina – Though he’ll face sterner challengers this was a confident-looking performance. Unafraid to come forward and could even have scored from either of two fine headed chances. A little out of position at times, and played Angel onside for one of Getafe’s only chances. But his pace is a vital asset. 7

Lucas Digne – With Barca playing a high line due to their domination, Digne’s lack of pace was glaring on the rare occasion that Getafe were allowed to break. Happy to let Mina take possession and drive forward, and thankfully for Barca, this was not a game in which he was pressed into action too much. 6

Jordi Alba – As willing as ever to provide width on the left but his crossing were finding too many luminous shirts. His patterns of play can be predictable – too often he was forcing the ball to Lionel Messi. 6

Sergio Busquets – His 300th La Liga game in a Blaugrana shirt did not produce any highlight-reel moments from midfield, but Busquets is a high-ceiling player and kept Barca ticking over before being replaced by Paulinho 10 minutes from full-time. 6

Ivan Rakitic – A mixed bag – landed one pass in Suarez’s lap at one point in the first half, but at other times his passing radar was uncharacteristically off. 6

Paco Alcacer – Yanked for Dembele in the 63rd minute and was clearly not on the same wavelength as his more illustrious team-mates. 5

Philippe Coutinho – Clearly still adapting to life at the Nou Camp – went missing for large swathes of the game, and his usual roaming role – as he performed at Liverpool – is occupied by Messi at Barcelona. Did go close in 58th minute with dipping shot that drew a good save from Guaita. 5

Luis Suarez – The linesmen wore themselves out continuously flagging Suarez for offside. The Uruguayan’s red-hot form took an ice bath against Getafe, as even the times he managed to avoid the flag’s attention, his finishing was off. Had a headed chance tipped over in injury-time. 4

Lionel Messi – Was at his exquisite best – minus the goals. Was hacked to pieces as he tried to conjure up something on his own but, despite the 300m plus of attacking talent around him at one point in the game, no one gave the Argentinian a helping hand. 8

Andres Iniesta – His superglue dribbling nearly carved out chance for Dembele, effective as ever when operating from the left. 7

Ousmane Dembele – Lacks that Barca stamp of composure and fell over his feet a couple of times. But the ball seemed drawn to him and he looked like he could make something happen – same couldn’t be said for Alcacer or Coutinho. 6

Paulinho – Had little time to make a mark and arguably should have entered the fray earlier. N/A